Did you know…The global fishing

fleet is 2.5 X greater than our ocean ecosystem can support

Serious threat on fish species and could take decades to recover

Ocean SustainabilityUnit 6: Resources and Sustainability

Ms. Thind

Why are oceans important?Planetary ecosystemRegulate temperature Starting point of the hydrological cycle Carbon sink Provide a source of food Provide leisure activities

OverfishingNon sustainable use of the ocean catch is

well over sustainable yield

Main problem affecting ocean fishery

http://overfishing.org/pages/why_is_overfishing_a_problem.php

Overfishing: How? Why?1. Technological advances: tracking systems to catch fish

2. Poor regulation and planning

3. Dragnets and Driftnet fishing: “vacuum” the sea at times are cut off and are left in the ocean ghost fishing

4. Dynamite fishing

5. Cyanide: squirted into coral cavities to stun fish easy to catch kills other coral and reef organisms

Overfishing: Results?Depletion of fish speciesDisruption of food chain Staple food source of protein being

depleted Harmful to economies that rely on fishing Increased practice of aquaculture and fish

farming

Aquaculturethe farming of freshwater and saltwater

organisms, implies the cultivation of aquatic populations under controlled conditions.

Used to increase availability of protein, sport fishing, and farming of expensive species: shrimp and lobster for $$

Fish Farming leads to higher than

normal levels of fish waste in the water

Unused feed and waste products can contaminate the sea floor and cultured fish can escape from these pens.

Crowded conditions at fish farms will lead to an increased risk of diseases, which can spread to wild fish

Ocean Pollution Subject to pollution from:1. Recreational boating2. Offshore oil drilling3. Illegal dumping by cruise ships4. Agricultural run off 5. Sewage waste6. Industrial waste

Why should we care?Equivalent to tropical rainforest: ability to

produce oxygen (phytoplankton) and absorb carbon dioxide.

Protect important source of food

Diminishes the biodiversity of marine life

Toxicity levels in fish species will pose a threat to human health